A joint award of the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex
The information contained within this programme specification is correct as at March 2010
UCAS Course Code / UCS Course Code: B722 BSc/MidS
For guidance see the UCAS web site at www.ucas.com or contact Admissions on
01473 338833 or e-mail admissionsucs.ac.uk|
Level of Award
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) Level 6
Professional Accreditation
This programme is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). In achieving this award, students have completed the NMC required number of Practice Hours.
Course Summary
This is a 78 week, full time course which leads to a BSc (Hons) Midwifery and registration as a midwife on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) professional register. It will provide opportunities for students to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes congruent with midwifery practice for the twenty-first century. The practice is flexible in nature and focuses on the needs of women and family centred care. There is a commitment throughout the course to the normality of childbearing while acknowledging that midwives care for women with complex health needs.
The overall aim of this programme is to provide educational opportunities which allow students to acquire the skills, values and attitudes that are essential for the development of professional competence, confidence and safe midwifery practice.
The programme will be 42% theory and 58% practice with placements in three local NHS Trusts - Ipswich Hospital, James Paget Hospital and West Suffolk Hospital.
Entry Requirements
Diploma level nursing (adult) qualification equivalent to 120 level 5 credits (formerly level 2 or intermediate)
OR
Certificate level nursing (adult) qualification (Pre1992) with evidence of recent study equivalent to 60 level 5 credits (formerly level 2 or intermediate)
These candidates will be expected to produce a portfolio of evidence.
Evidence may be derived from continuing professional development / modules / study days/ critical reflection on clinical experience (see web link for guidance on compilation)
A minimum of six months full time post qualification clinical experience (or equivalent) within the last two years.
References from current employer and educational higher education institution will be sought
Subject to interview, Health checks and Criminal Records Bureau checks will be undertaken in accordance with regulations of the Nursing and Midwifery Council and University Campus Suffolk policies.
Course Aims
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To provide educational opportunities which allow students to acquire the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes that are essential for the development of safe midwifery practice, professional competence and confidence.
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To provide a broad and deep understanding and dissemination of midwifery knowledge, the factors influencing the provision of women centred maternity care and to embrace birth as a normal process.
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To utilise reflective processes to develop critical insight to support the professional development of a midwife as a competent practitioner of normal midwifery.
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To develop enquiring, confident and empowered midwives with excellent communication skills to question views and practices within the multi-disciplinary team.
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To facilitate the development of midwifery practitioners who are able to utilise critical, analytical and enquiry based learning skills and apply these to their professional practice.
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To encourage critical enquiry, independent learning and a commitment to life long learning including taking responsibility for continuing professional development as a requirement for maintaining professional competence.
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To fulfil the requirements of the EU Directives, the Midwives Rules and Standards, NMC Standards of Proficiency and QAA academic and practitioner standards.
Learning Outcomes
These course aims are broken down into sets of related skills, which are known as learning outcomes.
Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course you should be able to:
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Recognise and discuss ethical, moral and legal issues and frameworks relevant to midwifery practice and dilemmas faced by midwives
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Analyse how the provision of maternity care impacts on health and wellbeing of women and families in society
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Utilise evidence to guide midwifery practice and enable women to make informed choices
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Critically analyse the evidence to support decisions made as a lead professional in midwifery care
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Achieve competency in the range of skills appropriate to midwifery identified by the NMC (2004) and European Midwives Directives 80/155/EEC Article 4 and 89/594/EEC
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Critically examine the use of technology and intervention in providing safe and ethical maternity services
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Organise, manage and evaluate care to childbearing women and their families including prioritising care and the effective use of resources
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Confidently apply knowledge base to undertake emergency procedures and refer to appropriate professional when required
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Critically examine the multiple ideological influences within contemporary midwifery practice
Subject Specific and Practical Skills
By the end of the course you should be able to:
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Critically reflect on the effectiveness of personal and professional judgement to achieve the best possible birth outcome
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Critically analyse the public health role of the midwife
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Appraise how choice and continuity of care can best be implemented for childbearing women
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Engage with colleagues to discuss and debate a variety of midwifery perspectives
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Articulate the regulatory requirements for midwifery practice and professional code of conduct
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Embrace a commitment to childbearing as a normal process
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Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the regulatory requirements for midwifery practice and their contribution to clinical governance and risk management
Key Skills
Key Skills, also known as graduate key skills, transferable skills or general skills, comprise communication, information technology, problem solving, numeracy, working with others and improving own learning.
By the end of the course you should be able to:
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Demonstrate an enquiring, reflective approach to midwifery practice in a range of contexts
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Utilise a range of effective communication and interpersonal skills in all practice settings
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Recognise the importance of research and scholarly activity in informing midwifery practice
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Discuss the value of reflection in and on practice
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Critically analyse, interpret and apply the evidence underpinning practice and evaluate, challenge and create change in practice accordingly
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Engage in effective collaboration with women and their families and other health and social care professionals
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Formulate strategies to develop their own lifelong learning and continuing professional development
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Utilise problem solving skills in a variety of theoretical and practical settings
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Integrate reflection on and in practice
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Demonstrate confidence in transferable graduate key skills
Module Framework
All modules are mandatory
LEVEL 5
Normal Midwifery Care and Context - 40 credits
Midwifery Practice 1 - 20 credits
LEVEL 6
Complex Midwifery Care - 20 credits
Dissertation Using Evidence in Midwifery - 40 credits
Consolidation of Midwifery - 20 credits
Midwifery Practice 2 - 40 credits
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Blended learning, using multiple approaches to learning will be facilitated by the effective combination of different modes of delivery, models of teaching which are sensitive to different styles of learning. A combination of physical resources will be utilised as well as use of Wolsey, the campus Virtual Learning Environment. Examples of the blended approach include both traditionalist and innovative approaches, for example interactive lectures, workshops, discussion, group activities, case study analysis, discussion forums, virtual tutorial, individual and group tutorial. Enquiry based learning and the use of action learning sets will facilitate the integration of theory and practice.
In practice learning will be supervised by appropriately qualified mentors who will use a range of techniques to enhance learning including demonstration, role modelling, supervised practice, one to one tutorials and involvement in interprofessional learning activities.
Benchmarks / Professional Standards / Competency Frameworks
The design of this course has been guided by the following QAA Benchmarks / Professional Standards / Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Competency Frameworks:
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NMC Standards of Proficiency
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NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF)
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QAA Benchmarks for Midwifery
Timetable
This is a full time course which runs over 3 semesters. There will be one intake in February of each year. The course is 42% theory and 58% practice. During the theoretical weeks students will be expected to attend the main campus site for theoretical instruction. The range of teaching techniques utilised will provide opportunities for group and self directed learning to occur, some of which will be via a virtual learning environment. Students will be provided with timetables when they join the course. In practice students will work a 37 ½ hour week and will adopt the shift patterns /worked in their training NHS Trust.
Each student will have a 2 week holiday over the Christmas period. Students can expect a 2 week holiday around Easter time and 3 weeks in the summer.
Course Delivery
The theoretical sessions of the course will be offered at the main campus location at the Waterfront in Ipswich. Students will be allocated to one Trust for the duration of their placements. This will be decided with the student upon interview/offering of a place. Trusts working in partnership with UCS to provide pre-registration midwifery education include Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, West Suffolk Hospital Trust.
Placements / Work Based Learning / Work Experience
Students will spend 58% of their time in practice at their allocated base site (see above)
Tutorial and Study Support
Each student will be allocated a personal tutor for the duration of the course. Individual module leaders provide academic support guided to the outcomes of their specific modules.
In practice each student is allocated a mentor with whom they will work with a minimum of 40% of the time. In addition each student has a named Supervisor of Midwives.
Opportunities on Completion of the Course
Opportunities exist for employment at the local Trusts. While there is no guarantee of employment is made every effort is made by Trusts to employ students and of this there is an excellent history. Students will also be able to apply for employment anywhere in the EU as a qualified midwife, although a period of consolidation within the UK is recommended.
Students will be eligible for study at Masters level, for example the MA in Clinical Practice following 2 years of practice as a registered midwife.
Alternative format
Should you require this programme specification in an alternative format, please contact us on 01473 338000.
University Campus Suffolk reserves the right to amend the information in this programme specification as and when required.